As the crisp autumn air settles over Hortobágy (Hortobágy), locals and visitors gear up for a truly unique spectacle: the St. Demetrius Day (Szent Dömötör-napi) Driving-In Festival (Behajtási Ünnep) and the Crane Festival (Darufesztivál), happening on October 25, 2025. This day blends ancient pastoral customs with one of nature’s grandest shows, making Hortobágy’s (Hortobágy) market square the place to be.
Traditions and Festivities
With winter on the horizon and daylight fading fast, shepherds and their animals prepare to leave the wide-open steppe (puszta) and settle in for the cold months. “The animal has brought the snow home on its back”—an old saying describing how, when food runs out in the fields, it’s time for the great drive home. There’s a rhythm to it: cattle return on Catherine’s Day (Katalin) or Michael’s Day (Mihály), sheep on Demetrius’s Day (Dömötör). Alongside the procession, it’s payday for shepherds—unless you’re missing some sheep, in which case tradition demands a “dance” with a stick.
Shepherds’ Parties and Parades
Demetrius’s Day (Dömötör, for Saint Demetrius, the shepherds’ patron saint) is a serious reason to celebrate. Preparations happen well in advance, with revelry, shepherds’ balls, food, and dancing stretching over several days at local inns and houses. During the Driving-In Festival (Behajtási Ünnep), herders parade with their racka sheep (rackajuhok), Hungarian Grey cattle (szürke marhák), Nonius horses (nóniusz lovak), and buffalo (bivalyok). Visitors can watch, mingle with animals and shepherds, and enjoy a horsemen’s show.
Crane Spectacle
But that’s not all: autumn at Hortobágy (Hortobágy) means the great crane migration. As thousands of cranes fill the sunset sky, nature lovers witness the most dazzling event of the Hortobágy (Hortobágy) National Park. Guided tours let guests experience this breathtaking migration firsthand—an adventure that’s hard to forget.
The organizers reserve the right to change the date and program.
